An email user's viewpoint: pretty emails formatted like web pages (e.g., like what GOG.com sends) may provide a sense of accomplishment to the designer, and their employer a warm, fuzzy, Brand-CompliantTM feeling -- but as a user I kind of like emails that are just... messages. With hyperlinks if it's appropriate. Images aren't always a great idea -- lots of clients block them by default.
Why not have just text in paragraphs with hyperlinks? It'd force you to write good copy, sure, but also it's more likely it'll get read.
A complex layout often detracts from your message. Especially now with web-based clients implementing 'dark mode' and darkening your layouts, meaning you have less control over what the end-user sees.
(Apologies if this is off-topic. I don't mean to denigrate the work designers do, I just feel it's more appropriate on the actual web rather than in email.)
Why not have just text in paragraphs with hyperlinks? It'd force you to write good copy, sure, but also it's more likely it'll get read.
A complex layout often detracts from your message. Especially now with web-based clients implementing 'dark mode' and darkening your layouts, meaning you have less control over what the end-user sees.
(Apologies if this is off-topic. I don't mean to denigrate the work designers do, I just feel it's more appropriate on the actual web rather than in email.)